XUZHOU – It's time for some mind sport again, as the FISU World University Bridge Championship has begun in the People's Republic of China. At at Xuzhou University of Technology, ten teams from eight countries including Poland, Belgium, Japan, Comoros, Czech Republic, Serbia, Thailand and China, with 160 athletes and officials total will be competing for medals from 25 till 28 October 2018.

On the opening night of the event, leaders from more than 20 colleges and universities across the country, national team members, coaches and athletes, news media reporters, leaders and representatives of teachers and students of Xuzhou University of Technology were in attendance as the Championship was officially declared open. Polish athlete Patryk Patreuha and international referee Kuba Kasprzak took oaths on behalf of athletes and referees. The opening ceremony was hosted by Liu Yang, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Xuzhou University of Technology.

Xuzhou University of Technology's Chen Kui Qing gave a warm welcome to athletes, coaches and referees from afar. In his speech, he said that sports are the most common and friendly form of communication among people in the world. Since its founding in 2002, the World University Bridge Championship has established a platform for students from all over the world to show their skills, a stage of youth which has enhanced their friendship. It fully demonstrates the active participation power for college students in improving the level of cultural exchanges and promoting diversified cooperation. As the hosting unit of the Bridge Branch of the China University Sports Association, Xuzhou University of Technology regards the bridge movement as an important part of physical education and is committed to promoting the development of the Bridge movement in China.

On behalf of Chinese universities to host this event, Chen Kui Qing said they will do their best to serve the event, let the sports spirit interpret its meaning in XUT, where multiculturalism blend, where friendship seeds spread , and where cooperation beliefs condense. He finally wished the gathering would obtain a complete success.

On behalf of the Xuzhou Municipal People's Government, Deputy Mayor Li Yan introduced the overall situation of Xuzhou to the guests and athletes at the scene. She pointed out that Xuzhou is the city strengthened by sports in Jiangsu Province and the cradle of world champions. The concept of “Sports makes me happy and healthy” has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Sports have become one of distinctive urban traits in Xuzhou. This time, hosting the World University Bridges Championship will definitely push the college and the city's Bridge movement to a new level.

For FISU, the International University Sports Federation, Vice-President Yang Li Guo welcomed students from all over the world to participate in the sports event. He pointed out that since the bridge was first listed as a competition in Belgium in 2002, this is the second time that China has hosted this event. On behalf of the College Sports Federation, he expressed his appreciation to all the organizations and individuals contributed to the competition and wished all athletes had a good performance and happy experience in China.

The flagmen from eight national teams waved their national flag to enter the ceremony hall. The flag of the People’s Republic of China and the flag of the International University Sports Federation were raised successively. Yang Liguo, Zhu Weiguo, Li Yan, Fiona and Chen Kuiqing jointly launched the ball to start the sport pageant.

After the official part of the Opening Ceremony with the march past of participating nations, speeches, oaths as well as the raising of China's and FISU's flag, there was a wonderful cultural performance. The fascinating show elements included martial arts, dragon dance, lion dance, musical instruments and others with Chinese national characteristics. Furthermore, a creative multimedia presentation gave a cultural and visual feast to the athletes and coaches.

This WUC Bridge is under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation, hosted by the China University Sports Association and Xuzhou University of Technology, co-organized by the Jiangsu Student Sports Association University Working Committee and the Xuzhou Sports Bureau, and supported by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education and the Xuzhou Municipal People's Government.

The competition will be held from 25 till 28 October. Among the then teams participating, three teams consisting of students from Shanghai Jiaotong University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Shandong University, Sichuan University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Xuzhou University of Technology are representing the People's Republic of China in the competition.

"FISU” is the official application of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). It gives you a direct access to the FISU news with the latest updates on the federation and its sports competitions. You will also find the results of FISU’s major sporting events in progress, i.e. Summer Universiade, Winter Universiade or World University Championships.